Mother of murder victim: If the killer had been arrested 28 days earlier, my son would not have died

The incident occurred on the night of November 25, 2021, on Adnan Menderes Boulevard in the Karslılar neighborhood of the Çukurova district. According to allegations, Ulaş Çelikten (22) was killed by Mehmet Şükrü C. Mehmet Şükrü C. was apprehended and arrested. Abdullah C., who was alleged to be the instigator of the incident, was also apprehended and arrested. The defendants were tried at the 9th High Criminal Court. As a result of the trial, the court sentenced both defendants to life imprisonment.

The relatives of the defendants took the case to the appellate court and appealed the local court's decision. As a result of the appeal, the appellate court reduced Mehmet Şükrü C.'s sentence from life imprisonment to 18 years in prison by applying a reduction for unjust provocation. The appellate court reduced the sentence of Abdullah C., who was alleged to be the instigator of the incident, from life imprisonment to 13 years in prison, claiming that he was not the instigator but had aided in the murder. Following this, Ulaş Çelikten's family appealed the decision. This decision by the appellate court has begun to be reviewed by the Court of Cassation.

"HE STABBED SOMEONE ELSE 28 DAYS EARLIER"

Mother Fatma Çelikten claimed that the person who killed her son had stabbed someone else 28 days earlier, saying, "28 days before my son passed away, they got up and stabbed someone in 10 places. They took these individuals to Elazığ and then they came back. After that, they murdered my son. If these individuals had been arrested when they committed the first incident, my son would not have died," she said.

Çelikten stated, "I was going to celebrate my son's birthday, but Ulaş is no longer here. The 9th High Criminal Court gives this person a life sentence, but the appellate court turns around and overturns the sentence. Did they give a lower sentence because he turned back and shot my son again? How many more Ulaşes will die?" she said.